Kansas City, KS – December 2023 Jobs Report – Steady Gains Amidst Regional Slowdown

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The December 2023 jobs report for Kansas City, KS paints a picture of sustained job growth, highlighting progress despite regional economic uncertainties. The city added 80 nonfarm jobs, bringing the year-end total to a positive 490 new positions. While this growth surpasses national trends, it reflects a slight slowdown compared to previous months, mirroring broader regional dynamics.

Highlights:

  • Modest job growth: December saw an addition of 80 jobs, contributing to a year-end total of 490 new positions.
  • Low unemployment rate: Kansas City, KS boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.0%, significantly lower than the national average of 3.5%.
  • Wage growth moderates: Average weekly earnings increased by 4.2% year-over-year, aligning with national trends of moderating wage growth.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Trade, Transportation & Utilities: Added 30 jobs, primarily driven by expansion in logistics and transportation sectors.
  • Professional & Business Services: Gained 25 jobs, showcasing growth in technology consulting, accounting, and finance areas.
  • Leisure & Hospitality: Increased by 20 jobs, likely reflecting post-holiday season hiring in restaurants and retail businesses.
  • Fastest-growing occupations: Registered nurses, customer service representatives, software developers and application developers, and sales representatives saw notable job gains.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Manufacturing: Lost 5 jobs, highlighting ongoing challenges in this historically important sector for Kansas City, KS.
  • Information: Remained stagnant, raising concerns about potential future contraction in this tech-driven industry.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Job growth in December 2023 surpassed December 2022, which added 60 positions.
  • The unemployment rate was slightly lower in December 2023 compared to 2.2% in December 2022.
  • Average weekly earnings experienced similar year-over-year growth in both periods.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • December 2023 saw a decrease in job gains compared to November 2023, which added 100 positions.
  • The unemployment rate held steady from November 2023.
  • Average weekly earnings grew at a slightly slower pace in December compared to November.

Future Outlook:

Kansas City, KS exhibits ongoing job creation, but continued focus on attracting and retaining businesses in diverse industries beyond logistics and transportation will be crucial for long-term economic resilience. Additionally, investments in workforce development programs to equip residents with in-demand skills will be essential for sustained and diversified growth.

10 Growing Occupations:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Customer Service Representatives
  3. Software Developers and Application Developers
  4. Sales Representatives
  5. Truck Drivers
  6. Accountants and Auditors
  7. Marketing Specialists
  8. Physical Therapists
  9. Financial Analysts
  10. Teachers

10 Companies Hiring Now:

  1. Cerner Corporation
  2. Garmin International
  3. T-Mobile
  4. Sprint Corporation
  5. CVS Health
  6. Walmart
  7. Amazon
  8. Home Depot
  9. Lowe’s
  10. City of Kansas City, KS

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